Let me start off by saying the original Tactics Ogre is on my top 5 favorite games of all time -- And the remake is even better. If you are a fan of Strategy RPGS, BUY THIS GAME. The story is by far my favorite of any SRPG. When I first heard about a remake, I figured it was going to be like all the other remakes and have very little new content. This game feels almost completelyLet me start off by saying the original Tactics Ogre is on my top 5 favorite games of all time -- And the remake is even better. If you are a fan of Strategy RPGS, BUY THIS GAME. The story is by far my favorite of any SRPG. When I first heard about a remake, I figured it was going to be like all the other remakes and have very little new content. This game feels almost completely different, with tons of changes, additions, and notably the removal of the training mode. This review will focus mostly on the changes.

One of the most noticeable changes is the fact that you level jobs instead of individual characters. So what I always did was have 1 character per job so that you can keep all your jobs leveled. Because of this change and the fact that there is no training mode, I found the first couple battles (after your training buddies leave you) very difficult. Also, experience is gained throughout the battle and at the end it's divided up through all your characters. This is great, because when you begin leveling a new job they can basically stand in the back at level 1 and not risk getting killed.

Another change during battle is the fact that you can retrace your "steps" or character moves. If you've played the original you understand the fact that sometimes these battles can last an hour, and one wrong move can cost you the battle and lose a vital character. So in order to aleviate a lot of the frustration you are now actually able to backtrack to any move you want (up to 50 moves) by pressing and holding the "L" button. A lot of people will consider this cheating, but this is just an option, and if you're a die hard fan -- just ignore it.

Another important change is the fact that you can customize each individual character by buying spells and abilities. This feature resembles Final Fantasy Tactics and the use of Job Points. The difference is that you are only able to hold a specified number of skills and abilities. Because of that, each character is unique -- sorta. This feature was probably the first feature I did not like. It grew on me as the game progressed, but originally I felt like I was basically buying the same skills for my melee and the same skills for my mages. The act of trying to make unique characters ended up just being repetative for the first few chapters. The fact remains that these skills are crucial. Without knowing what you're doing, the first few battles were difficult to me until I mastered the purchasing of these skills.

Probably the most important change to me is the fact that you can replay the game by going back to specific points where you have to make game changing choices and pick a difference choice to see the other outcome. Now die hard fans like me, already did this on the original but this was done by restarting a new game and losing all your hard work. In this remake you can take your party of characters and go back to those important moments. This basically allows you to recruit all those members you were unable to get to form the perfect party. One other sidenote is the music. The music and sound effects are AMAZING. I remember when I was a little kid, whenever I heard music from FFVII or Xenogears it would have a great effect on me. I would get so excited to play it, and even to this day there's a sense of nostalgia. This game has THAT type of music.

Although this game isn't for anyone, if strategy rpgs like Final Fantasy Tactics, Disgaea, Advanced Wars, Jeanne d'Arc, etc. are appealing to you, then you have to try this game. And if you loved the original, but you're still debating about buying the PSP remake, just remember -- It feels like a new game, plus there's characters you always wanted to recruit in the original, that you can get in the remake. I won't give it away in this review, but a simple Google and you should be able to find it.…Expand

It was a masterpiece back in the days, and this remake is so polished and well thought that newcomers and veterans alike will surely love it. Tactically deep, full of choices and optional contents, challenging while providing ways for newbies to enjoy it, full of post-game quests, extremely good from a narrative standpoint... Tactics Ogre is all of this, and much more. Let's hope MatsunoIt was a masterpiece back in the days, and this remake is so polished and well thought that newcomers and veterans alike will surely love it. Tactically deep, full of choices and optional contents, challenging while providing ways for newbies to enjoy it, full of post-game quests, extremely good from a narrative standpoint... Tactics Ogre is all of this, and much more. Let's hope Matsuno is able to continue the Ogre series.…Expand

Final Fantasy Tactics - but so much more. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together is a incredible good Strategy RPG. The game works similar to Final Fantasy Tactics(What to expect from pretty much the same developers). Tactics Ogre, just like FFT is about medieval politics, warfare, the split between races and different classes in society(Nobles and the rest).

What makes Tactics Ogre moreFinal Fantasy Tactics - but so much more. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together is a incredible good Strategy RPG. The game works similar to Final Fantasy Tactics(What to expect from pretty much the same developers). Tactics Ogre, just like FFT is about medieval politics, warfare, the split between races and different classes in society(Nobles and the rest).

What makes Tactics Ogre more fun, and also increases the replayability is the fact that there is several routes and several different endings. Not to mention that you usually can have up to 12 units on the battlefield(Comparing with Final Fantasy Tactics 6 unit cap) You get plenty of choices in-game, but most of them are just whether x guy will join you or not. i.e not that important choices.

The exp system also works well. The exp is well divided between the characters and the class level is shared between all the characters. So basically if you recruit a new warrior, so will his warrior class level be the same as every other warrior you have. This however is a bit annoying when you unlock a new class and see that it's level 1. Though they level up fast so it isn't really a major issue.
There are however a few things I dislike, or rather prefer how it is in other games.

First off - the class / job unlocking system. You unlock new classes by either buying or looting class cards. You can alternatively recruit someone with that class on the battlefield.
But basically - I prefered the FFT system were you leveled up your classes and unlocked new ones. Instead of getting new classes the further you reach the game.

Second - The crafting system is incredible slow. It is nothing game breaking, nor do you need to use the crafting system. But it just felt like a waste of time to buy alot of ores and then sit there and watch the crafting animation for the next thirty minutes.(But it was so worth it having upgraded weapons for your ninja) Graphics - Good, the sprites, art, effects,etc are all well made and fits in very well.

story is amazing, probably the best medieval fantasy I've seen in a videogame with subtle, well done political intrigue and a great cast of characters

warren report encyclopedia is dynamic and grows as the story moves along, I can lose myself for hours going through and reading the intricacies of the story
main problems is some facets of the battle
-AI is sometimes stupid, casts the samestory is amazing, probably the best medieval fantasy I've seen in a videogame with subtle, well done political intrigue and a great cast of characters

warren report encyclopedia is dynamic and grows as the story moves along, I can lose myself for hours going through and reading the intricacies of the story

main problems is some facets of the battle-AI is sometimes stupid, casts the same ineffective spells over and over-large armies and large levels means you will spend a few turns just moving your units across the map, can be time consuming-level up system is a hassle when you find a character with a unique job, as you must level them up from zero by having them tag along in fights where they cannot be of much use…Expand

I realize this review is a bit late, but this game really resonated with me as being a high quality classic, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for not just a good strategy game, but one of the best games ever. Tactics Ogre: LUCT is a remake of Tactics Ogre for the SNES, with more content and a much improved translation (seriously, the dialogue would not be out of place in a fantasyI realize this review is a bit late, but this game really resonated with me as being a high quality classic, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for not just a good strategy game, but one of the best games ever. Tactics Ogre: LUCT is a remake of Tactics Ogre for the SNES, with more content and a much improved translation (seriously, the dialogue would not be out of place in a fantasy novel.)

I can really like a game that has excellent gameplay, or a fantastic story. Few games, in my opinion, pull of both at once. I believe Tactics Ogre does, I'll break it down below.

Gameplay: If you've played Final Fantasy Tactics you're in for (roughly) the same gameplay experience, but with some noticeable differences. It should be noted FF Tactics was the spiritual successor to Tactics Ogre. I think it's a damn shame the Tactics Ogre series has been laid to rest, but I digress. The game both on and off the battlefield requires lots of micromanagement, and in the later game you might spend more time than you'd like grinding levels or crafting powerful weapons. These facets might seem unappealing and to many they likely are, but you get out of the game what you put in. You could speed through the story with minimal grinding and still enjoy it, but the side quests and optional characters are just as engaging and worth your time. I will warn you some of the sidequests can be very long, at least one of the optional dungeons has over 100 levels contained within. I found the game challenging but fair, the hardest levels in the game are the ones where you must keep a friendly NPC alive, as they prone to suicidal charges into the enemy's frontlines.

The story: I could gush about how much I loved the story but I'll try to keep the fanboyism down. The story is mature, dark and surprisingly real. I won't include a synopsis as you could find one elsewhere and I don't want to risk any spoilers. Just be prepared, friends may die, they may betray you, they may leave you because they disagree with your decisions. The men you fight may be more honorable than the ones you serve, and as the main character comes to realize, "To lead is to stand alone." Additionally, the characters are excellent and have three dimensional personalities. The decisions you make have REAL consequences, and they will dictate who lives and dies. There are also multiple endings, and I will admit my ending on my first play through was not ideal, but it was pretty cool to see such a dark ending in a JRPG.

Will all the content, the excellent story and just general grade A quality, this is an easy game to recommend. I have inducted Tactics Ogre into my top 5 games of all time, and while Final Fantasy Tactics is very good I would venture to say TO is superior. I bought it off of PSN and play it on my Vita, do yourself a favor and check it out!…Expand

If you have been waiting since Final Fantasy Tactics for the next-thing and have been disappointed by everything released since then (including Disgaea and Agarest), your wait is over.

Tactics Ogre for PSP literally picks up where FFT left off and is without a doubt the spiritual successor.
Again, if all the tactical/strategy RPGs out lately have been total let downs for you, this is theIf you have been waiting since Final Fantasy Tactics for the next-thing and have been disappointed by everything released since then (including Disgaea and Agarest), your wait is over.

Tactics Ogre for PSP literally picks up where FFT left off and is without a doubt the spiritual successor.

Again, if all the tactical/strategy RPGs out lately have been total let downs for you, this is the game you've been waiting for. This game also has the added bonus of not being polluted with schoolyard scenes and juvenile themes to appeal to a younger crowd. This is a game you can play without feeling like a total molester.…Expand

I really like how the player can change the course of events given the decisions, you make while progressing in the game. Its even more astonishing given the fact, that the original game is over 15 years old. Beside of that its a good strategy rpg with a good battle system and some nice new features. Every fan of strategy rpgs should at least play this.

This is a timeless classic. It is one of the best tactical rpgs of all time and also a prime example how a remake should be made. The story is deep and engaging with twists and your decisions will lead to different routes / outcomes. The battle system is a master peace with tons of job classes, abilities and combinations. There are a lot of recruit able characters, some with unique skillsThis is a timeless classic. It is one of the best tactical rpgs of all time and also a prime example how a remake should be made. The story is deep and engaging with twists and your decisions will lead to different routes / outcomes. The battle system is a master peace with tons of job classes, abilities and combinations. There are a lot of recruit able characters, some with unique skills and job classes. The value of this game is very high as you can get hundreds of hours of playtime.…Expand

I may not of played the original, so I don't know how much of the game's mechanics are new to the PSP release, but if SRPGs were this good back then, why hasn't anyone learned and improved? In a lot of ways it seems like it tries to improve and upgrade modern SRPGs. Units grow and become more powerful as they become skilled, offering the player plenty of customization options. HoweverI may not of played the original, so I don't know how much of the game's mechanics are new to the PSP release, but if SRPGs were this good back then, why hasn't anyone learned and improved? In a lot of ways it seems like it tries to improve and upgrade modern SRPGs. Units grow and become more powerful as they become skilled, offering the player plenty of customization options. However fresh recruits are far from useless. The story is open-ended, well written, and the characters are believable. The art style also really fits the theme. Forgive me if I fail to articulate what aspects of the game really make it for me, but it's been a long time since I felt like I played a game this substantial.…Expand

I find this standout game to be much better than Final Fantasy Tactics. I am a diehard fan of tactical rpgs and I really like how you can load out with almost a dozen characters to fight all at once with another dozen. This is what battle is all about, particularly on the maps without elevation. The music is wonderfully rendered on the Sony PSP's superior sound and the menu is completelyI find this standout game to be much better than Final Fantasy Tactics. I am a diehard fan of tactical rpgs and I really like how you can load out with almost a dozen characters to fight all at once with another dozen. This is what battle is all about, particularly on the maps without elevation. The music is wonderfully rendered on the Sony PSP's superior sound and the menu is completely accessible via the Select button.…Expand

I was one of the very few people who played the original when it came out before Final Fantasy Tactics, and the original was awesome. This game is even better. Amazing story, very likeable characters, and TONS of end-game content.

This game is like Final Fantasy Tactics on steroids. Once you actually "beat" the game on your first playthrough, you are only about 15% complete with it.I was one of the very few people who played the original when it came out before Final Fantasy Tactics, and the original was awesome. This game is even better. Amazing story, very likeable characters, and TONS of end-game content.

This game is like Final Fantasy Tactics on steroids. Once you actually "beat" the game on your first playthrough, you are only about 15% complete with it. There's a 115 level deep dungeon, that branches off different paths, and has secret rooms. This dungeon you will have to descend twice to complete all the content it has to offer, and this is just breaking the ice on end-game. Beating this deep dungeon is a requirement to complete CODA 1...just so you know, yeah... there's 4 CODAs..

There's preparation to be done before you even begin the first descent, which is very lengthy. And to top it off, there's like 5 deep dungeons in this game. That's right, FIVE!

This is honestly the best game I have ever played, and I knew that they would not let me down in making it, because the original has been my favorite game of all-time, until the PSP remake came out.

The music score was done perfectly. The music creates an atmosphere of drama, enjoyment, goosebumps, and awesomeness, basically everything to be rated about this game is above a 10 for me. I have been waiting for nearly 2 decades for this release.

This does not come without a price however. The game is insane honestly. The end-game content is the most in any sRPG there has ever been, by about 10-fold. (this does not including "endless" games like Skyrim, because this game ends), but let's get serious here, the original was WAY ahead of it's time back in the mid 90's, and the original set the standard for sRPGs.

If you just want to enjoy the game without any fuss, you can simply beat it on all 3 routes and stop. If you are a masochist like I am, then you can complete all of the end game content with it. But expect to be spending upwards of 500+ hours on JUST the post-game.

Not only is the post-game fun, but it's hard and extremely time consuming. There's a TON of classes to choose from, as well as recruits that are awesome. There's sidequests to get Draconic Magic one of the ultimate magiks of this game, and you will grab some in each deep dungeon you go through, along with insanely upgraded gear, recruits, legendary crafting books, legendary materials to craft, and unique gear, when equipped, will provide a baseline increase to certain damage or defense. (It's really strong stuff)

You will spend many grueling, hair-tearing hours trying to get to this equipment. Matter of fact most people don't even get it all and give up before they complete it, because of the insanely MASSIVE dungeons this game has to offer, and not only this, but the freakin' game is so big that you need a guide to grab everything...and even WITH a guide you are going to have to do a lot of backtracking, A....L..O....T!!!!

Play this game, seriously. You are not experiencing perfection in sRPGs until you have experienced this game and it's post-game to the fullest. But be warned, this game will come at a price. But if you manage to best it, you will end up playing it again.

Until you get the strongest gear, this game is a challenge. You can't just mow your way through it. This game envolves tactics, preparation, terrain disadvantages, weather disadvantages, class disadvantages, gear disadvantages, and long grueling dungeons that you have to farm drops inside, while experiencing all of this.

Final Fantasy Tactics - but so much more. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together is a incredible good Strategy RPG. The game works similar to Final Fantasy Tactics(What to expect from pretty much the same developers). Tactics Ogre, just like FFT is about medieval politics, warfare, the split between races and different classes in society(Nobles and the rest).

What makes Tactics Ogre moreFinal Fantasy Tactics - but so much more. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together is a incredible good Strategy RPG. The game works similar to Final Fantasy Tactics(What to expect from pretty much the same developers). Tactics Ogre, just like FFT is about medieval politics, warfare, the split between races and different classes in society(Nobles and the rest).

What makes Tactics Ogre more fun, and also increases the replayability is the fact that there is several routes and several different endings. Not to mention that you usually can have up to 12 units on the battlefield(Comparing with Final Fantasy Tactics 6 unit cap) You get plenty of choices in-game, but most of them are just whether x guy will join you or not. i.e not that important choices.

The exp system also works well. The exp is well divided between the characters and the class level is shared between all the characters. So basically if you recruit a new warrior, so will his warrior class level be the same as every other warrior you have. This however is a bit annoying when you unlock a new class and see that it's level 1. Though they level up fast so it isn't really a major issue.
There are however a few things I dislike, or rather prefer how it is in other games.

First off - the class / job unlocking system. You unlock new classes by either buying or looting class cards. You can alternatively recruit someone with that class on the battlefield.
But basically - I prefered the FFT system were you leveled up your classes and unlocked new ones. Instead of getting new classes the further you reach the game.

Second - The crafting system is incredible slow. It is nothing game breaking, nor do you need to use the crafting system. But it just felt like a waste of time to buy alot of ores and then sit there and watch the crafting animation for the next thirty minutes.(But it was so worth it having upgraded weapons for your ninja) Graphics - Good, the sprites, art, effects,etc are all well made and fits in very well.

Bottom line: If I can only have one SRPG for the rest of my life, it isn't even a contest. I could play Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together for the next 10 years and still be finding new stuff to try. One of the best remakes of all time.

Fifteen years may have passed since its original release, but Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together still manages to enchant any "tactical-RPG" lover who devotes his free time to it. A real gem that earns its rightful place next to Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions and Jeanne d'Arc.